There’s sometimes a tendency for defense attorneys to focus exclusively on the facts of their case rather than trying to tell the story of their clients. But in the latest episode of Trial Technique Spotlight, noted jury consultant Shane Read says that’s a mistake. And he details why a defense attorney’s powerful opening story about the hospital at the heart of a headline-grabbing baby formula case paved the way for a defense win.

When defending wrongful death and catastrophic injury claims, clearly acknowledging the gravity of loss is critical to avoid alienating jurors as you argue the facts of your case. And in the latest episode of Trial Technique Spotlight, Shane Read, one of the nation’s foremost trial and jury consultants, analyzes how Scott Bailey’s heartfelt acknowledgment of loss in closings of a medical malpractice trial allowed him to more powerfully argue the facts of his case, ultimately clearing his physician client.

Shane Read analyzes how the use of a deposition clip in openings led to a $495 million verdict in a bellwether baby formula case. 

Sometimes the most compelling testimony at trial can come from a deposition. And turning a spotlight on that testimony during openings helps lay the critical early groundwork for a winning verdict. In the latest episode of Trial Technique Spotlight, Shane Read, one of the nation’s foremost trial and jury consultants, analyzes how Jake Plattenberger's opening in a bellwether baby formula trial masterfully highlighted a researcher’s pushback to deposition questions, setting up a blockbuster verdict.

Credibility is a cornerstone to winning any jury trial, and building that credibility from a trial’s opening moments is crucial. In the latest episode of Trial Technique Spotlight, Shane Read, one of the nation’s leading trial and jury consultants, details the “brutally honest” opening The Weathington Firm’s Paul Weathington gave to build credibility with jurors and ultimately clear his physician client in a $75 million medical malpractice trial. 

Watch Trial Technique Spotlight, where Shane Read discusses the verdict-winning techniques of leading trial attorneys.  

Anticipating and undercutting opposing counsel’s arguments is often a key cornerstone to a winning opening statement. And in the recently launched lineup of episodes in our ongoing series, Trial Technique Spotlight, Shane Read, one of the nation’s leading trial consultants, details the approaches top attorneys have used to undercut opposing counsel contentions.